Good dear readers, I hope you had a happy good night accompanied by your family and close friends. I can imagine that they behaved very well in this strange and changing year because they stayed at home, washed their hands periodically with plenty of soap and water, used their mask and took care of the smallest and oldest in the house. Santa Claus will have rewarded them with many gifts, those intangible gifts that we all need in life: love, peace, happiness, family reunion, union and above all a lot of health and life. At this time of year where feelings and emotions are always on the surface, we thank God for having come so far knowing that many of our acquaintances have left this world due to the virus or in one way or another unfortunately.
This year and like every year, despite the shortcomings and needs that arise in the country, my relatives and I were able to sit together once more at the table, taste the typical traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish prepared by the great hands of each of we who made an extra effort to bring bread to the table and those of the relatives who could not be with us but who supported us and sent their good wishes from a distance. At the table we were able to remember all the past experiences, because the Venezuelan was stuck in the past and we need to remember what we once were before all our ailments began in order to heal, to be able to oxygenate ourselves, to be able to free ourselves from stress, to be able to laugh and to feel good about ourselves, with our beliefs and Christmas customs that we deny cease to exist. Many Venezuelan families were unable to celebrate.
There were not many lights on in the tree, but we are grateful because there was a Christmas tree, with some gifts, but with a large golden star that indicates that the spirit of Christmas and togetherness shines in each of us. The minimalist nativity scene or typical Venezuelan manger was a real charm, the lambs refused to remain standing and no matter how much they were located they remained turned, the dry foliage grass alluded to the straw of the stable where the child God, María and José was born. As every year they starred in that biblical scene with the child Jesus, the wise men were guided by the star of Bethlehem made with recycled paper by my nephews. My nephews, my son, and the children of the family, they are the succession, the ones in charge of maintaining the Christmas traditions, they are the reason for not stopping believing, having faith and not losing customs.
Aguinaldos and parrandas were few but we sang as in the past, we remember the Christmas group where my sisters sang when they were younger, the smell of the Hallacas enveloped us and inspired us to sing other verses. We did the choir, while the younger ones played the drum that was a plastic bucket of water, the charrasca was a fork with a cheese grater, the maracas a rattle of my son and the cuatro was an invisible instrument played by my brother. A new singer emerged, my little son who cried because he needed the arms of his mother. There was no shortage of hugs and laughter, as well as hot water and rum to warm the body, this time it was difficult for us to obtain the cream punch, which is one of the quintessential drinks of the typical period. In return, a lemon guarapita sat very well with those who could consume liquor.
When opening the gifts, the greatest gift from Santa Claus for all of us was being able to share together and give each other that very favorable warmth that brings us together every year and keeps us as a family. Merry Christmas to all those who take their valuable time to read these short lines, a big hug for you.
